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What Matters Most
by
What Matters Most Image
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 10 Ratings

  • Summary: Barbara Streisand sings the lyrics of Alan and Marilyn Bergman, and also produced the album.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Aug 18, 2011
    83
    Here Babs goes bigger, singing the natural-fiber stuffing out of 10 dramatic tearjerkers by her old pals Alan and Marilyn Bergman.
  2. BBC Music
    Aug 18, 2011
    80
    The state of the art recording ensures that this is another unmissable feast of song from an artist seemingly unstoppable in her continuing quest to present something new to her worldwide audience.
  3. Billboard.com
    Sep 23, 2011
    78
    As always, though, Streisand sings the material like it was written expressly for her, elongating phrases at will and slowing most of the tempos to a luxurious Old Hollywood crawl. What matters most? Babs' bliss.
  4. Los Angeles Times
    Aug 24, 2011
    75
    Streisand's somber production and emotional vocals evoke melancholy more than joy--a fitting mood for these theatrical but not sentimental songs.
  5. The New York Times
    Aug 22, 2011
    70
    Some of her high notes may have slipped away, but the body of her instrument has ripened. The overall tone is fairly subdued.
  6. AllMusic
    Aug 22, 2011
    70
    lthough the arrangements and material are monochromatic, What Matters Most isn't a failure by any means, thanks to Barbra Streisand's interpretive skills (as well as her flair for drama and her ever-beautiful voice). That said, this is not a record for those who love precocious Streisand best (Funny Girl, Hello, Dolly!).
  7. Boston Globe
    Aug 23, 2011
    70
    Streisand, who produced it herself, has a soft spot for orchestrations that are just a little too sweet, languid piano balladry, and lilting, midtempo cocktail-hour ambience that would be more fun if it had some swing.

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. RobinLipman
    Aug 25, 2011
    10
    After making a BEELINE to Barnes and Noble on Tuesday to pick up an additional copy of Barbra Streisand's AMAZING, new CD - (I had ordered myAfter making a BEELINE to Barnes and Noble on Tuesday to pick up an additional copy of Barbra Streisand's AMAZING, new CD - (I had ordered my original copy from QVC in order to get the DVD, but it hasnâ… Collapse
  2. someonewhocares
    Dec 1, 2022
    6
    The record's heartfelt and somber, but i can't help but sense the feeling that most of these songs just sound like rejects from her 70s era.The record's heartfelt and somber, but i can't help but sense the feeling that most of these songs just sound like rejects from her 70s era. Her production is top-notch here, but i can't shake off the fear that this album was put together at the last minute.… Expand